Opera IX – Strix Maledictae In Aeternum

OPERA IX have been waiting for eight years since their last album studio “Anphisbena” to release this album. After listening to “Strix Maledictae in Aeternum” only one question came to my brains: Did they think time was going backwards? I’ll explain the reason for this doubt.

If this album would have been released maybe in mid-90’s, probably this would’ve been a blast in every Metalhead’s mind, because it has all the elements to become a classic… at that time; but now, almost in the “end” of the world, this album is just another good release; at least there are still bands like OPERA IX who are true to their roots, instead of “innovating” with something terribly gone wrong.

Despite the lack of recognition, OPERA IX is one of those bands that keeps up the mix of abrasive Black Metaland atmospheric symphonic elements that fans of the genre (I’m one)know and love. They have always tried to keep on the good path of Black Metal music (although by their time, it was an innovation to have CADAVERIA on their lines). The symphonic parts are well done, constantly present but not overworked, a task that has been done well by these guys for 20 years now. The screaming vocals are louder than you’d expect from a Black Metal band, almost going sometimes on the Death Metal growls, but maintaining a good taste in the process. Musically there’s nothing strange here, standard symphonic Black Metal, mixing the fast and mid-tempo parts, with sometimes acoustic guitars, and dawdling atmospheres.

The low points in this release: the production. I know that Black Metal bands try to always make a raw production in order to preserve the classic sound, but come on, it’s time to break the chains of the past (in a good way). I bet that if they had a better production on this album, this instantly would have become in one of my favorites, and one of the favorites of many, many people, but as good as it is now. “Strix Maledictae in Aeternum” isn’t as amazingas it could have been. Next time remember: time keeps going forward… unfortunately.